Pan-Mass Challenge sets record with $40 million in contributions

Sunday

Aug 10, 2014 at 1:59 PM

The Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC), the nationís most successful athletic fundraising event, drew more than 5,700 cyclists from 35 states and eight countries to Massachusetts this past weekend. Enduring cold rains for most of Saturday and unseasonably cold temperatures throughout the weekend, cyclists rode up to 190 miles over one or two days with one collective goal in mind: to raise $40 million for adult and pediatric patient care and cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.The fundraising goal is at an all-time high. The final sum raised will be announced in November, as money is still coming in and donations will be accepted until Oct. 1, 2014. If the fundraising goal is met, the PMCís 35-year gift to the Jimmy Fund will total $454 million."These past 35 years have been incredible," said Founder and Executive Director Billy Starr. "I am forever inspired by the commitment of PMC riders and volunteers to this mission. Their desire, and ability, to raise so much money for cancer research is unparalleled." The PMC anticipates more than 240,000 donors.PMC weekend was emotionally moving. More than 3,000 volunteers cared for the needs of the riders, from preparing and serving food, filling water bottles, and providing massages, to offering medical and mechanical care, transporting luggage and cleaning up after riders traveled through the water stops. The camaraderie shared by cyclists, volunteers, and supporters was inspiring. Doctors at Dana-Farber joined their patients as teammates and rode together with a unified goal. About 350 of the PMCís cyclists are cancer survivors or current patients. Thousands of riders have lost loved ones to the disease. Still more rode in honor of those in treatment."PMC weekend invariable shows the best of the human spirit. Even with all the rain, all I saw was smiles and I never heard a complaint," Starr said.Connecting athleticism to charitable fundraising was a new idea in 1980 when Starr and 35 of his friends rode across Massachusetts and raised $10,200 for cancer research. Today, athletic charity events annually raise more than $2.5 billion, funding crucial programs at health and human service organizations. The PMC leads the pack and is the most efficient. The PMC annually contributes 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar directly to the Jimmy Fund.Cyclists chose between 12 routes that ranged from 25 miles to 190 miles. Each committed to raising between $500 and $5,000 to be part of the PMC team. Typically, ninety percent of all PMCers exceed the minimum fundraising contribution and one-third raise more than twice the amount required.The PMC was presented by the Red Sox Foundation and New Balance. The PMC is nationally recognized as a model in fundraising efficiency; it generates 50 percent of the Jimmy Fundís annual revenue and is Dana-Farberís largest independent contributor. PMC funding is considered "seed money." It allows researchers and doctors to finance innovative experiments and conduct initial trials to qualify for federal funding. DFCI research that was funded by PMC raised money has resulted in more than $1 billion in federal funding and DFCI is among the leading recipients of grant funding from the National Cancer Institute."The PMC has made what we do at Dana-Farber possible," said Edward J. Benz Jr., MD, president of Dana-Farber. For more information about the PMC, visit pmc.org.